For Moving Portrait, trumpeter Dave Douglas has recruited pianist Bill Carrothers (here joining James Genus on bass and Billy Hart on drums) to provide gentle counterpoint to his already achingly suggestive trumpet touches... more &raquo. The result is a CD of soft, glowing originals that approach a notion of pointillist jazz without seeming unconstructed or overly precious. Also interesting are the three Joni Mitchell covers ("Roses Blue," "My Old Man," and "The Same Situation") Douglas selects. His treatment of these songs, while respectful and dignified, never approaches pop territory. Instead the soft-focus lens that Douglas turns on melodic structure reflects exclusively on his controlled, cerebral playing. An intelligent, mature jazz release. --S. Duda&laquo less

Synopsis

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For Moving Portrait, trumpeter Dave Douglas has recruited pianist Bill Carrothers (here joining James Genus on bass and Billy Hart on drums) to provide gentle counterpoint to his already achingly suggestive trumpet touches. The result is a CD of soft, glowing originals that approach a notion of pointillist jazz without seeming unconstructed or overly precious. Also interesting are the three Joni Mitchell covers ("Roses Blue," "My Old Man," and "The Same Situation") Douglas selects. His treatment of these songs, while respectful and dignified, never approaches pop territory. Instead the soft-focus lens that Douglas turns on melodic structure reflects exclusively on his controlled, cerebral playing. An intelligent, mature jazz release. --S. Duda

CD Reviews

Joni's standards

Mr. T. Haillay | 03/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although not a document of a working band, this is clearly a record Dave Douglas wanted to make. Following in the tradition of his sextet in honouring the compositions of particular composers, he has drawn together the sympathetic talents of James Genus, Bill Carrothers and Billy Hart to pay tribute to Joni Mitchell. Hers is music he obviously loves, the reconstructions sounding like jazz standard song repertoire. The other music uses Joni Mitchell's ear for a great tune as a springboard for Dave's thoughtful, instantly appealing compositions. Beautifully recorded, this is a one-off; don't miss it."